United Nations: The B-1617 variant of the coronavirus, first identified in India, has been classified as a ‘variant of concern’ at the global level by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID-19 Technical Lead at the WHO, said Monday that the B.1.617 virus variant that was first identified in India had been classified as a ‘variant of interest’ by the WHO.
The #SARSCoV2 virus variant B.1.617 is currently listed as a variant of interest but is being evaluated as a potential variant of concern by @WHO & our 🦠 evolution working group
We are grateful for the ongoing work around 🌍 to monitor & study VOI/VOC#COVID19 @WHO @DrTedros pic.twitter.com/CUDd4ue1ZW
— Maria Van Kerkhove (@mvankerkhove) May 9, 2021
She said the Epi team and WHO lab team has been discussing with the WHO virus evolution working group this variant and everything that they know about it in terms of transmissibility and any studies that are being done in India as well as…